Gobbler's Knob Fire Lookout, Fire lookout tower in Mount Rainier National Park, United States.
Gobbler's Knob Fire Lookout is a two-story wooden tower in Mount Rainier National Park designed with a wrapping observation platform and ground-level storage space. The structure measures approximately 14 feet per side and sits perched at about 5,485 feet above sea level.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built this observation post in 1933 as part of a nationwide program to combat forest fires. The tower documents a chapter in Depression-era infrastructure projects that reshaped America's landscapes.
The structure represents traditional National Park Service design principles, integrating natural materials to maintain visual harmony with the mountainous surroundings.
The route to the tower requires a strenuous hike of roughly 11 miles round trip with significant elevation gain through forest and alpine terrain. Visitors need sturdy footwear, weather protection, and supplies since the area offers no services near the tower.
On clear days, the tower offers views of five volcanoes including Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood in addition to the surrounding peaks. These rare moments of visibility make the long hike worthwhile for many who make the journey.
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